Thursday, September 04, 2008 Oh no, not Peggy Hill... POST A COMMENT Poor poor John McCain...'got us all stuck in a bad rerun of 'King of the Hill --(problem is this isn't a cartoon we could just laugh off)... And In the end I might up choosing the lesser of the evils...'As with any wacky-extremist, the more I read, the more the Palin choice got me pretty scared right about now. I wrote on here that neither presidential candidate rocks my world. In that interest of full disclosure, I'm in that allusive-undecided-club -- (a former Pro-Hillary...'moderate on most issues, conservative on others. But yet socially liberal on important stuff like health care and the growing poverty divide). I'm closest in philosophy to our great New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Photo credit: TMZ.com Labels: News Trends, Politics, Poverty Divide, race relations posted by Henry Cruz at 2:13 AM Saturday, August 16, 2008 It's the teachers, stupid! POST A COMMENT As a survivor the public school system -- including a bout at one of the most dangerous High Schools in the Bronx - (NYC)... 'I can testify that the biggest problem at inner-city schools -- (aside from threat-to-life issues) is what you don't see -- all the dropouts.... but, for those that stick it out, it does become so much about the quality of the teachers; which is why I think "Teach for America" might have something. Let's face it, there is no easy band-aid fix; as this Newsweek article points out: "the American system of education is broken..." -- poor kids without money are basically screwed. Repairing it, begins with better teachers: "The single most important factor in student achievement is the quality of the teacher. And yet, we have no effective system to attract, train, retain and promote high-caliber candidates for our schools. Today's teachers score in the lowest quartile of college grads and too many of the schools that train them are diploma mills." - Teach for America basics: The two-year program "recruits high-performing college grads to teach in low-performing public schools." And while the teachers are paid the same as other new teachers, Teach for America actually helps to pay off the participants student loans. More than that is how this program has raised the stakes by sparking a join-the-cool-club-mentality among recent grads: "Among the candidates: 11 percent of seniors at Yale, 10 percent at Georgetown and 9 percent at Harvard. This summer, 3,700 corps members who were carefully culled for their leadership skills through TFA's data-driven, envy-of-Wall Street selection model underwent an intensive, five-week crash course in teaching." I know for myself, the difference between ending up locked up in jail or finishing college -- came down to a few memorable teachers showing me some of life's possibilities. Source: Newsweek Labels: College Students, economy, Education, Poverty Divide, race relations, Teach for America posted by Henry Cruz at 4:34 PM Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Melting Pot, USA POST A COMMENT Watching the Olympics coverage started a conversation on how diversity benefits the U.S. teams. I grew up in New York City...'so, I might be a bit spoiled by that melting pot theme. But, join me in being the forever-optimist and seeing the good in this New-York-microcosm trickling down-south. And how this will be even better for the Team USA of the future -- 'cause sorta like the six million dollar man, we'll get the best of all worlds in one place...and kick some major butt -- (seems to work just fine here in New York). "The white population, I wouldn't say is fading into the background, but it is becoming the older, less fertile part of the population," offers CBS news. Consider this: 10 percent of Americas population still control 70 percent of our countries wealth...it's pretty clear who really wears the clout in this country -- (the rest of us are just here to clean up the mess...I mean look at who they shipped out to Iraq; 'don't think too many rich folks ever even heard the words "basic training"). "Whites still make up 66 percent of the population. But their numbers have grown only two percent since 2000, compared to eight percent for blacks, 29 percent for Hispanics and 26 percent for Asians." In that same report it was suggested that such change in a community could have a "train wreck" effect -- really, I couldn't disagree more. Worse case scenario: we might all need to learn to sing the star spangled banner in English, Spanish, Chinese, and maybe French -- (Gaaak, well hopefully not french)... 'what's the big-whoop? Source: CBS News Labels: Business-101, latino watch, News Trends, Olympics, Poverty Divide, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 10:09 PM Thursday, August 07, 2008 Let the terrors...Beijing? POST A COMMENT They built it, so what. I'm ready to admit my interest in the spectacles of the Summer Olympics - (Yeah, Rah-rah-rah, Go USA!! -- and all that good stuff)... However, the Athletes doing their twirls -- going around and around in circles... ( ** big Yawn) ...that's all background fodder. Nobody cares about the shiny new stadium, or the neatly swept up streets...I live for the real life drama...like why director Steven Spielberg really withdraw as an adviser to the ceremonies...'yum, yum, gimme some of that. I'm Sure China designed everything to leave this wonderful impression for the world watching... But like watching the end of the movie the "Wizard of Oz" aren't we really waiting for a peek behind the red curtain... After reading about China's addictions to oil and ties to death in Dafur -- (loaded with all these human-rights injustices) -- How could any decent person focus on swimming relays? Don't you want to know about the lack of freedom of the press, and lack of freedom of expression...?? Its more like watching your-morbidly obese-good-girl-friend-graze on carrot sticks...sure, behind her back you nod sadly and pity her... but, we all know there's food stash of bad calories hiding in some closet calling her name at night...unless you buy into that big-boned or bad genes theory... The real sport in these Olympics will be hoping we get to see some dirty laundry aired...to lay witness to a train wreck over a bridge of really troubled waters...I'll be there with my tub of popcorn....Hoping someone will save the day....I'd be really juice to see Batman swoop in and save the day -- (but stuff like that only happens in the movies): Labels: Beijing, China, economy, ho-tackular, Olympics, race relations, receptions, rich and poor divide, USA posted by Henry Cruz at 5:22 AM Tuesday, August 05, 2008 Finally the rich join our nation of whiners POST A COMMENT Sen. Phil Gramms' mental recession can add a bunch of wealthy folks to that "nation of whiners." Yep, even those swimming in cash have been tightening their Gucci-belts. Before you go out and call the tiny violins...'or clap your hands 'bout that rampant consumption in our culture coming to a end... 'let me point out the how the "upper-crust thriftiness could reverberate across the economy..." Because - "The 10 percent of households with the highest incomes account for nearly a quarter of all spending..." We kinda do really need the rich flaunting their cash -- (Like one big tail gate party of rich folks 'out-doing-the-Jones...how 'bout a keep on-honkin' for Prada and Gucci Bags). On most days I'd be first on that line to argue the imbalances -- and why only a small percent of the population can actually afford to spend right now -- the point here is that imbalance "gives the wealthy immense economic clout" -- and not spending in the already slumping economy...well... Let's toss out there another couple of nuggets to chew on: "Consumer spending makes up 70 percent of gross domestic product...and that "economic activity...creates (new) jobs" Soooo, we don't need to hear right now that rich people are -- "seeking the best deals" rather than the "over-the-top extravagances that's expected!" Or we really don't need to hear that "Luxury spending fell 4 percent last year, and this year's decline is expected to be steeper, particularly for luxury handbags and clothing that don't hold value" Don't the rich people know Phil Gramm was talking about poor slobs like us when he was talking about mental problems...don't be insane. If you're one of the 10 percent with all that available cash on hand get over your whining and go out and buy one of them luxury gas-guzzling HUMMER SUVs...and hell, why not go out for a nice loooong drive...'go on and make Phil Gramm proud again. Source: Denver Post Labels: economy, News Trends, Poverty Divide, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 1:41 AM Sunday, June 08, 2008 The upside to a Parade POST A COMMENT Where I'm from it's an unspoken-whisper-among-friends that any parades down Fifth Avenue here in the Big Apple -- (where folks get the privilege to sweat for hours behind a barrier to watch Mickey Mouse floats crawl by) -- were designed especially for two-year-old-kids, and folks that enjoy long rides in those short-yellow-buses - - (but, like a car wreck that you can't turn away from, I do find myself watching some of them on the TV -- using my fast forward button, while noting the faces of badly-dressed-people-with-way-too-much-time-on-their-hands). Seems, I'm not the only one whispering...apparently frightened "moneyed white people" -- and nearby shops -- along Fifth Avenue were doing some chatting amongst themselves: "They tell you the day before—they whisper it—‘Don’t come tomorrow,’ a well-heeled regular says. "The clientele starts clucking a few days beforehand, 'This weekend, you know … ’ We live in divided-times, where the richest 1 percent of Americans own 35 percent of all the assets, but there lies the upside to all retards marching down fifth...well, for at least one day...we get the allusion of sharing the same air. Source: Gawker Labels: Culture, Puerto Rican Day Parade, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 3:25 PM Friday, May 09, 2008 Don't drop the Soap...(no really) POST A COMMENT Gotta say up front, we should put all street dealers out of business by legalizing every drug out there - (and then the government could benefit by taxing it)...'Seriously doubt those "pill popping wives" getting legal prescriptions get a much different high then tokes of stuff that grows in the ground....'cept the fact that prescription companies are raking in boatloads of cash medicating Americans. 'Love me: operation sudden fall....or any story that deals with other folk's pain (especially if they are stupid people). Like that Frat Drug - bust...Yeah, gotta admit, I was giggling like a little school girl. At the sheer balls and knuckle-head factor of Frat Boys dealing out in the public....'they gonna love them asses in jail...esp. the one on the right (he'll be somebodies wifey, for sure). This part killed me: Members of "Theta Chi sent out a mass text message to his "faithful customers" stating that he and his "associates" would be unable to sell cocaine while they were in Las Vegas over one weekend, according to the DEA. The text promoted a cocaine "sale" and listed the reduced prices." But, because the dealers in this case were mostly white males, they'll probably end up doing very little time. Then again, in my perfect little world, nobody would do time for such victimless crimes. Labels: drug bust, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 2:23 PM Monday, May 05, 2008 Poor Comic Treatment POST A COMMENT Let me say upfront, I'm not into "sociopolitical comic strips" - (got a message, save it, and ..."go cry to Oprah") - that preachy, hit-me-over-the-head-with-a-message - it's just not fun, and rarely funny -- 'least if you're gonna wave a finger at me for all the wrongs in the world, for Gods-sake, at the very least, make me laugh...Bodega Avenue comes close - I smiled a few times, (so, I'll give them a pass for the preachy-undertones in that comic strip). but, I find my sensibilities do align, especially when talking about the "haves" and "have-nots" - if that makes any sense. It's like that motto, kill them with kindness; there's gotta be a "fun" way to make people listen to important issues - like the effects of gentrification in Brooklyn - without sounding like a crybaby...or getting on a soapbox...or, sounding like a liberal asswipe (that hugs...g'aak, trees). How 'bout, kill them with humor? Kill them with entertainment? Like my Momma used to do when she wanted me to take my medicine, she'd wrap it in something I can stomach... There's little doubt, that income for the bottom half of American households are worse than ever...'while income for the top one percent skyrockets - (by 228 percent according to the book, "The Big Squeeze"). The rich get richer, the poor get kicked out...yeah, see what I mean...I'm zoning already (putting my own self to sleep). I got nothing. I'm gonna go out and Make Momma proud, by drowning my sorrows in some happy juice. Source: CBS News, Bodega Avenue Labels: Bodega Avenue, Comic strips online, race relations, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 1:18 AM Friday, April 25, 2008 NY: an abortion of justice? POST A COMMENT "Don't Shoot me," were three sad words that echo in my head from the grave. The 50-shot trial, with Bell as the victim of trigger-happy cops that put new meaning to: "shoot first...and don't stop shooting 'til 50 shots." The defense claiming the unarmed man brought the tragedy on himself. I'm going to suggest that they could have fired a few shots...but, fifty shots? - that sounds a tiny bit over the top...against an un-armed man. NYC Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who originally said the shooting "excessive" back in 2006, released this statement: "There are no winners in a trial like this. An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father, and a mother and a father lost their son." "An ugly pattern is emerging in New York. This was a massacre, this was not a shootout." Said the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Yeah, 50 bullets = massacre, that 'bout sums it up... it's a sad day to be a New Yorker. Source: New York Daily News Labels: NYC, race relations, unjustified verdict posted by Henry Cruz at 9:17 PM Monday, April 21, 2008 Globally: not all the same! POST A COMMENT LOCATION MATTERS? Are you a East versus West turf kinda-person? I never thought location much mattered. I'm more along-that-old-saying, "If you Cut Me, Will I Not Bleed..." - which hints that we are all kinda-made-from-the-same-stuff inside, so thanks Newsweek for F-ing with my head. Yeah, well...you live, you learn. I'm trying. According to this Newsweek Article (Blame the Bugs), location not only helps to form the way we think, it also effects our immune system. So there might be some truth behind another saying: What hurts you doesn't hurt me, it makes me stronger (if I'm on the right coast)! For example, The USA... "epitomizes individualistic, do-your-own thing cultures, ones where the rights of the individual equal and often trump those of the group and where differences are valued." Versus folks in Japan that... "exalt the larger society: behavior is constrained by social roles, conformity is prized, outsiders shunned..." So, The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence (if that fence is someplace-far-far-away). Or how many pathogens....confused yet? (your ass must be from the west coast)... "Societies that arose in places with fewer pathogens had the luxury of individualism, which is less effective at limiting the spread of disease but brings with it other social benefits, such as innovation." So basically, Your-Moms-Better-Than-Anyone-Else's (if she's from the right coast)..."For years scientists have scratched their heads over why collectivism declines with distance from the equator, and why living in colder regions should promote individualism (you'd think polar people would want to huddle together more). The answer seems to be that equatorial regions breed more pathogens." So along that thinking multi-racial people might create the best of all-worlds...in theory at least. Source: Newsweek Labels: Culture, environment, Health, race relations posted by Henry Cruz at 11:57 PM Thursday, April 10, 2008 Skin Color Matters POST A COMMENT Should it be a big deal if you're "stopped and questioned and frisked unnecessarily?" -- maybe not in the "big picture" of life. But, what if, as what has been reported by the NYDailyNews that "race is the reason many people are stopped" -- granted, "racial profiling" is not new. And after getting your face pushed down, you do get used to it. It's a way of life. I don't commit crimes, but I get that even today "the color of your skin" is still an issue. I do have many friends (mostly younger folks) that don't get the "big deal" or why this may cause resentment towards police. But then again, they aren't getting stopped or accused because they look a certain way. Labels: NYC, race relations, Subway posted by Henry Cruz at 2:59 PM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . December 2007 . March 2008 . April 2008 . May 2008 . June 2008 . July 2008 . August 2008 . September 2008 .